INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Missouri HOSA participated in HOSA’s 46th Annual International Leadership Conference (ILC), on June 21-24, 2023, which was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Approximately 12,142 health science students, advisors, government and private sector leaders, judges, exhibitors, and presenters gathered in-person to compete, learn, network, and celebrate HOSA’s 46th Annual ILC with members from across the United States, Canada, Korea, and China and beyond. Delegates took advantage of five exciting general sessions, various workshop presentations, and over 140 exhibits from companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. The Opening Session featured a special message from the keynote speaker, Admiral Brett P. Giroir, MD. Admiral Giroir is the former assistant secretary for health in the US Department of Health and Senior Services, acting FDA Commissioner, and admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He also served as the US representative to the executive board of the World Health Organization and was a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the national lead for testing and diagnostics under the Trump Administration. Admiral Giroir is also the author of Memoir of a Pandemic: Fighting COVID from the Front Lines to the White House. He resides in College Station, Texas.
Missouri HOSA members received scholarships at both the state and international levels. Four (4) Missouri HOSA members received an international scholarship and were recognized at the ILC. Mary Gogola from Saint Louis University received a $1,000.00 scholarship from Citizens, Mamediarra Mbow from Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience received a $1,000.00 scholarship from Philip R. Patton HCA Healthcare, Chelsea Ramirez from Ozarks Technical College received $1,000.00 from the David McNeese Memorial Scholarship, and Merisa Celebic from Mehlville High School received a $1,000.00 scholarship from National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE). Missouri HOSA was able to offer twelve (12) $500.00 ILC Scholarships that were eligible to competitors who earned first-place or were awarded Barbara James Service Award Gold National Level Recognition at the Missouri HOSA 2023 State Leadership Conference. Missouri HOSA was able to offer those scholarships thanks to our amazing sponsors who contributed to this scholarship fund. Sponsors graciously donated $6,000.00 to assist Missouri HOSA competitors at the International Leadership Conference! Those sponsors included: 9.95 Uniform Store, HealthierMO – Missouri Public Health Association, Phelps Health, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy – College of Global Population Health, ABC/Community Blood Center, Be the Match, BJC HealthCare, Cleveland University – Kansas City, Depco, Doisy College of Health Sciences – Saint Louis University, iCEV, Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, Missouri Hospital Association – Missouri Health Careers, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, National Healthcareer Association, Ozarks Technical Community College, Riverside Technologies Inc., State Fair Community College, UMKC School of Nursing & Health Studies, UMKC School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri St. Louis – College of Nursing, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, East Central College, Mid-America Transplant, and Army ROTC.
One of the new recognition events this year was the America’s Blood Centers and HOSA Blood Drive. This recognition event allows HOSA members to connect with local blood centers and learn how to conduct a successful blood drive in their community. The United States is currently experiencing a blood supply shortage. Pre-COVID, many blood banks received 15% - 20% of their yearly volume from high school organized blood drives. This percentage has dramatically fallen the last few years. HOSA-Future Health Professionals has the opportunity to make an extraordinary impact in states and communities to aid in ABC and HOSA Blood Drives and positively address the national blood supply shortage. Through blood donation, HOSA members are saving lives and building the next generation of lifelong blood donors.
The second new recognition event this year was the Emotional Well-Being Challenge. This recognition event has been developed in conjunction with SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to engage HOSA chapters and members in learning how essential good mental health emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing is to overall health and to introduce them to the concepts of mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention.
The Outstanding State Leader recognition award is designed to honor one Outstanding State Leader from each HOSA chartered association in recognition of the member’s commitment to HOSA and outstanding leadership of his/her chartered association. Ysabella Olsen from Park Hill South High School was honored at this year’s International Leadership Conference for her passion, hard work, and dedicated service to Missouri HOSA! Congratulations to Ysabella for a job well done and her year of service as a Missouri HOSA State Officer!
Save the date for next year's ILC in Houston, Texas!
